Sjögren's syndrome: can it be the cause of your dry eyes and mouth?

Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease discovered in the 1930s by a Swedish physician named Henrik Sjögren. The patients described by the physician were all women, experienced dry eyes and dry mouth, and many also suffered from arthritis. The condition affects millions around the world. In the US alone, one to four million suffer from it, and nine out of 10 of those patients are indeed women.

In this gallery, we look at the causes, symptoms, and treatment of Sjögren's syndrome. Click on to learn all about this autoimmune disease.

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What is it? -

Sjögren's syndrome (pronounced SHOW-grins) is an immune system disorder. More specifically, it’s a systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease.

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What is it? - Sjögren's syndrome mostly affects the mucous membranes and the moisture-secreting glands of the eyes and mouth.

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Symptoms: eyes -

One of the condition’s most common symptoms is dry eyes. You may feel a burning sensation, your eyes may itch, or they may feel gritty, as if you had sand in them.

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Symptoms: mouth -

Another very common symptom is dry mouth. You may find it difficult to swallow or even to speak. A sensation of having the mouth full of cotton is also often reported.

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Symptoms: joints -

Joint pain, as well as swelling and stiffness, can also occur in those who suffer from Sjögren's syndrome.

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Symptoms: jaw -

The syndrome can cause salivary glands to become swollen. This is felt in the area in front of your ears, behind your jaw.

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Symptoms: skin -

Dry skin and skin rashes can also occur in people with Sjögren's syndrome.

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Symptoms: reproductive organs -

Vaginal dryness has also been reported in some patients.

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Other symptoms -

The dryness of the mucous membranes can also lead to a dry cough and cause fatigue.

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Additional risks -

While the immune system mostly targets the mucous membranes and the moisture-secreting glands, in addition to the ones mentioned previously, it can also affect other parts of the body, including the thyroid, kidneys, liver, and nerves.

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Causes -

As mentioned previously, Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease, which means that the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own cells (as if it were fighting an infection).

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Causes -

Certain genes have been linked to the syndrome, but the presence of an infection caused by a virus or bacteria is usually necessary to trigger the mechanism. Generally speaking, the exact cause is unknown.

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Risk factors: age and sex -

Sjögren's syndrome is most commonly diagnosed in people over 40, and women are more likely to suffer from it.

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Risk factors: rheumatic disease -

It’s common for patients to also suffer from other rheumatic diseases. These may include rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, among others.

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Complications: oral health -

Saliva plays an important role in protecting the teeth from bacteria, so if your mouth is dry you’re more likely to be exposed to bacteria and develop cavities.

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Complications: oral health -

Another complication that may arise is the development of a yeast infection in the mouth, or oral thrush.

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Complications: vision -

Dry eyes can lead to a number of complications, including blurred vision, light sensitivity, and even corneal damage.

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Complications: lungs -

Sjögren's syndrome can also affect the lungs, leading to complications such as pneumonia and bronchitis.

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Complications: liver and kidneys -

The condition can lead to issues with kidney function, as well as cause liver problems, such as hepatitis or cirrhosis.

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Complications: lymph nodes -

There is a small percentage of Sjögren's syndrome sufferers who develop lymphoma (cancer of the lymph nodes).

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Complications: nerves -

The condition can also affect the nerves and cause a tingling or burning sensation, as well as numbness in the hands and feet.

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Diagnosis -

Diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome is not easy because many symptoms can be similar to those caused by other conditions, and these also vary from person to person.

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Diagnosis: blood tests -

Blood work can be done to check for a number of indicators, including different types of blood cells, the presence of inflammation, and antibodies common in those who suffer from Sjögren's syndrome. Blood tests can also help identify any problems with the kidneys and liver.

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Diagnosis: eye tests -

A Schirmer tear test can be done to check the level of dryness in the eyes. An ophthalmologist may also observe the eyes using a slit lamp to detect any damage.

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Diagnosis: imaging -

Your doctor may also prescribe an x-ray called a sialogram, which uses dye to detect how well your salivary glands are working.

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Diagnosis: imaging -

Another imaging test that can be done is a salivary scintigraphy, which involves a radioactive isotope being injected into a vein and then tracked to see how long it takes to reach all salivary glands.

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Diagnosis: biopsy -

A lip biopsy may also be performed in order to detect inflammatory cells, which are sometimes present in people with Sjögren's syndrome.

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Treatment -

Treatment is prescribed according to the body part affected by Sjögren's syndrome. This may involve medications to decrease eye inflammation and increase saliva production.

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Treatment -

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be used to treat joint inflammation and arthritis. Antifungal medications may be prescribed to treat yeast infections in the mouth.

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Treatment -

Other treatments involve medications to suppress the immune system. Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), which is mostly used in treatment of malaria, has been shown to be beneficial in treating Sjögren's syndrome.

Sources: (Mayo Clinic) (American College of Rheumatology) (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)